I had an epiphany the other day at my piano lesson. (Yes, I take piano lessons. And no, I’m not a good student.) (Or a good pianist.)
She asked if I wanted any Christmas music for homework. I quickly said no. “Why not?!”
Hmmm…
In that brief instant, I realized why I’m not a fan of premature Christmas music:
By the time Christmas is upon us, I’ve been subjected to so much holiday music that I don’t want to hear anym0re. (I know – the blasphemy!) I’m tired of it before the day ever arrives. It’s been profaned by the immeasurable amount of commercialism in our country. Profaned by radio stations who want to increase listeners. Profaned by the stores who start playing it before Thanksgiving even hits. Profaned by TV, movies, etc etc etc… All in a cultural push for shopping and Santa and stuff. Thanks to the blatant commercialism of one of Christianity’s most holy days, THE day isn’t as enjoyable for me. By then, I’ve had enough of the music.
What does all this have to do with the title for this post? I try to avoid the music on the radio and in the stores for as long as I can, in an effort to preserve the music for the big day. Because I love it so much, I try not to listen to it until its time.
Does this make me crazy? Probably.
But those of you who like to listen to Christmas music year round? Y’all are a bit crazy, too. 
advent has be overpowered by christmas.
maybe we try to enjoy advent music… but that might be just as crazy as not listening to christmas music.
Oh no. I totally dig advent music. I wish more people knew about advent music and embraced it.
The Resurgence has a killer “Learning to Advent Together” series going right now:
http://theresurgence.com/series/learning_to_advent
i’m so the opposite. i LOVE christmas music. especially old school.. and by old school, i mean bing, frank, ella, louis, tony, etc…
good stuff!
I like Christmas music in certain circumstances. I like it on Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. I like to listen to it when I am involved in Christmas related activities. Otherwise, not so much.
I hate that radio stations start playing it 24/7, even before Thanksgiving. It annoys me when people listen to it 24/7, even after Thanksgiving.
For me, it’s specific times, small doses.
I can handle it early. I am used to it after 4 years of being in a collegiate choir learning songs in August.
BUT I do dislike the songs about Santa Claus, and such.
My favorites are the carols and Christmas hymns that are worship centered and such. I do have a few other favorites, from singing in choir etc. But no jingle bells for me. PUHLEASe!!
The official okay to turn up the volume on the music is Thanksgiving day. That’s when my dad would put his manheim steamroller cds into the computer and blast the speakers. Yeah. he was a weirdo. But he loved Christmas and so I have to continue that tradition ;] He totally turned into a little kid at Christmas time. So funny. I guess it helped that his bday is in December too…haha…I’m gonna stop now.
HI MANDY WHAT’S UP?
No i did not have coffee today. just a black tea latte…:D
JUST a black tea Latte? I hear somewhere that tea leaves have MORE caffeine in them than coffee… Hmmm…..
Yeah…I’m starting to feel it…haha
Bah! Humbug!
(j/k)
I’m somewhere inbetween… I love hearing it when it first comes out. Then I turn it OFF… don’t listen to it for weeks…then right before Christmas start to miss it and turn it back on… as long as it isn’t MJ…. hahaha
Hey Mandy, great to meet you
Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your kind words. This is a great site you have got going on, and I LOVE the project of 100 songs you have just finished. Wow! What a goal! Personally, I am dubbing 2010 the ‘Year of the Song’ and am planning to record one song a week. I thought that was ambitious, but it now seems like childsplay! Nevertheless, I’ll stick to my ‘steady as she goes’ approach 
Being that I am going into Songland, I am just setting up a social network of songwriter friends to connect with. Would love you to take part if you are interested? http://songwritershub.ning.com/
Look forward to staying in touch.
As a worship leader, I have to start thinking about Christmas (and Advent) music at least by August–so I know exactly what you mean about finally getting here and feeling a bit burnt out!
I guess it’s an unfortunate side-effect of the job… (sarcasm!)